Andy Murray slams pickleball as easy and noisy ahead of DC Open

Former world No. 1 tennis champion Andy Murray said he is "not a fan of pickleball," describing the rapidly growing North‑American sport as noisy and "quite an easy game." Murray made the remarks on media day in Washington before the DC Open, where he is assisting British player Jack Draper with his comeback preparations.

Murray acknowledged that pickleball offers social benefits and a fun way to stay active, but stressed it does not appeal to him and lacks the technical and physical demands of elite tennis. His comments join a broader debate among tennis figures about the sport’s surge in popularity in the United States, where it now attracts millions of recreational players and increasing media attention.